The Commons at Baltimore Alley

The Commons was commissioned by the Art in the Loop Foundation with assistance from DST Systems, Inc., Master Realty Properties Inc., Stinson Morrison Hecker LLP and the City of Kansas City, Missouri. The Commons at Baltimore Alley, located in Kansas City, MO is part of a larger pedestrian alleyway system that links key businesses and neighborhoods to important downtown destinations including the Downtown Public Library, the Lyric Theater and the KCATA Transit Plaza. A local artist team, Julia Cole & Leigh Rosser, transformed the dark alley into an intriguing public space. Their winning concept places colorful, functional contemporary art elements throughout the alley, including limestone-rock styled seating, designed concrete, and new lighting.

The artists found their design inspiration after researching the historical ecology of the Kansas City river region. They used environmentally friendly materials, such as Bomanite Revealed Exposed Aggregate Systems, to reimagine a natural setting without impersonating nature, while creating an innovative urban gathering space.

Bomanite Licensee, Mussleman and Hall worked with the artists to bring their vision to life and to help them promote their goal of using recycled, recyclable or low-impact materials by using recycled color glass for the Bomanite Revealed designed concrete installation. Recycled aggregates such as glass or vitrified slag used decoratively in the finished concrete surface can contribute to LEED credit.